Spanish for Everyday Conversations: Ask About Today's Special
Learn to ask 'What is today's special?' in Spanish and understand the description, focusing on daily offers at restaurants.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you eat out in a Spanish-speaking country, the daily special is often a great value and a chance to try local dishes. This lesson teaches you how to ask about today's special and understand the response. You'll learn key phrases and vocabulary to navigate this common situation confidently.
By the end, you can…
- ask what the special of the day is.
- understand a basic description of the special, including main ingredients and price.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?
What is today's special?
KWAHL es el es-pe-SYAL de oy
Use this in most Latin American countries to ask about the daily special.
¿Qué platillo tienen hoy?
What dish do you have today?
ke pla-TEE-yo TYE-nen oy
Another way to ask, common in Mexico and Central America.
¿Qué recomienda hoy?
What do you recommend today?
ke re-ko-MYEN-da oy
Ask for a recommendation, often the server will mention the special.
El especial de hoy es...
Today's special is...
el es-pe-SYAL de oy es
The server might start the description this way.
Incluye...
It includes...
een-KLOO-ye
Used to list what comes with the special.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about the special, use '¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?' or '¿Qué platillo tienen hoy?'. The response often starts with 'El especial de hoy es...' followed by the dish name and description. For example: 'El especial de hoy es pollo con arroz.' (Today's special is chicken with rice.) You can also ask '¿Qué incluye?' (What does it include?) to find out sides or drinks.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you sit down at a restaurant and want to know the daily offer. It's common at lunchtime (comida) in many Spanish-speaking countries. If you're unsure, you can also ask '¿Qué me recomienda?' (What do you recommend?). The server might respond with 'Le recomiendo el especial de hoy.' (I recommend today's special.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Buenas tardes, ¿cuál es el especial de hoy?
Good afternoon, what is today's special?BWE-nas TAR-des, KWAHL es el es-pe-SYAL de oyHoy tenemos sopa de tortilla y pollo en mole.
Today we have tortilla soup and chicken in mole sauce.oy te-NE-mos SO-pa de tor-TEE-ya ee PO-yo en MO-le¿Qué incluye el pollo en mole?
What does the chicken in mole include?ke een-KLOO-ye el PO-yo en MO-leIncluye arroz, frijoles y tortillas.
It includes rice, beans, and tortillas.een-KLOO-ye a-ROZ, free-HO-les ee tor-TEE-yasA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American countries, the 'especial de hoy' or 'menú del día' is a fixed-price lunch that changes daily. It's often announced verbally or on a board. In Spain, you might hear 'menú del día' instead. The special usually includes a main dish, side, and sometimes a drink or dessert. Asking about it is common and shows interest in local cuisine.
One thing to watch for
Using '¿Qué es el especial de hoy?' which can sound like 'What is the special today?' but might imply you're asking for a definition rather than the dish.
Try this instead: Use '¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?' to ask which one it is. For example, '¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?' is more natural when you want to know the dish.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask 'What is today's special?' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?
This is the most common way. You could also say '¿Qué platillo tienen hoy?' which is equally correct.
2If the server says 'El especial de hoy es pescado a la plancha', what is the special?
Show a sample answer
Grilled fish.
'Pescado a la plancha' means grilled fish. Other valid interpretations might include 'fish' but the specific cooking method is grilled.
3What does 'Incluye arroz y ensalada' mean?
Show a sample answer
It includes rice and salad.
'Incluye' means 'it includes', 'arroz' is rice, 'y' is and, 'ensalada' is salad. So the special comes with rice and salad.
To ask about today's special, say '¿Cuál es el especial de hoy?' and listen for 'El especial de hoy es...' followed by the dish. Ask '¿Qué incluye?' to learn what comes with it.
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